Workshop for farmers to be held at Rainbow Valley Grange

RAINBOW – Area residents with any size acreage are invited to the Southern California Farmers, Ranchers & Grape Growers Free Workshop on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m., to learn how the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agencies can help them. This first workshop of its kind in California will be hosted by and held at Rainbow Valley Grange, 2160 Rainbow Valley Blvd.

In an effort to educate California residents about the programs it has to offer, the USDA plans to hold these seminars throughout the state. Topics will include farm and youth loans, farm crop insurance, farm drought insurance, and conservation assistance. Panelists will be from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation District, Mission Resource Conservation District and UC Extension, including Dr. Gary Bender, as well as California State Grange master/president Ed Komski.

Farmers of any kind of crop, from avocados, flowers and nuts to hemp, citrus and succulents, are welcome to come find out what the USDA can do for them, which agency they need to talk to for specific issues, and what their options are for assistance.

Each panelist will provide a five to 10 minute discussion on what services they provide to farmers. They will answer questions for 30 minutes and then there will be time for the panelists to meet with attendees one on one. Refreshments will be provided by the Grange, the oldest American agricultural organization which is celebrating 150 years of helping farmers.

Seats are limited, so RSVP by Monday, Dec. 5 to Brooke Raffaele at (530) 219-7747 or [email protected]. People with disabilities who require accommodations can call Federal Relay Service (800) 877-8339.